1. Syllabus

Prerequisites: Math 1A-1B or equivalent. Students who have
taken such courses at another institution may not have studied
differential equations and should learn the relevant material
(Stewart Single Variable Calculus chapters 9 and 17) on
their own by the time we get to the differential equations portion
of Math 54.

1.1. Homework, quizzes, and exams

Homework will be due once per week, at the end of discussion
Friday. Late homework will be given points according to the
formula 2−ns2−ns, rounded down, where ss is the score the homework
would have received when not late, and nn is the number of days
late.

We will have fifteen-minute quizzes every Friday at the beginning of
discussion. There will be no make-up quizzes.

A one-hour midterm will be given July 22nd during lecture.

A two-hour final will be given August 12 during lecture, through
discussion.

The lowest quiz score and the lowest homework score will be dropped.

1.2. Grading policy

The final grade will be determined according to the following: 15%
homeworks, 20% quizzes, 25% midterm, 40% final exam.

1.3. Special accommodations

All students requesting special accommodations need to be registered
with the Disabled Student Services and need to provide a letter
indicating the necessary accommodations. Because it is very
difficult to arrange accommodations at the last minute, all requests
must be received at least 8 days prior to the exams.

6. How to study

Step 2. Solve homework problems. If you get stuck, you did
not complete Step 1, so go back and figure out exactly what you
still need to understand.

Mathematics does not end with words written on a page, rather an
answer is an artifact or byproduct of understanding. Furthermore,
you are trying to convice the reader that you are correct: thus
revise! It is your responsibility to make your answers clear. In
fact, if on a quiz or exam the grader does not notice you are
“right,” this is your fault, and you will lose points for it.

[1] Erratum: the heat equation derivation is incorrect and should have 1/n21/n2 in the denominator rather than n2n2.